Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of electrical sensory stimulation applied to thoraco-lumbar region on hyper-excitable monosynaptic reflex in stroke patients. Methods: Forty stroke patients were selected from Out-patient Clinic, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University and from El Haram specialized hospital. Patients were divided into two equal groups. Patients in the study group (n = 20) received the selected physical therapy program as well as electrical sensory stimulation to the thoraco-lumbar region where as patients in control group (n =20) received the selected physical therapy program as well as placebo electrical sensory stimulation. The following assessment including H/M ratio, dorsiflexion active range of motion and time of ten-meters walking test were measured before and after six weeks of treatment program. Results: before treatment there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the grades of spasticity, dorsiflexion active range of motion and time of ten-meter walking test. After treatment there was a very highly significant difference between the study group and the control group regarding the grades of spasticity according to H/M ratio, highly significant difference between the study group and the control group regarding dorsiflexion active range of motion and time of ten-meter walking test. Conclusion: It can be concluded that surface electric sensory stimulation applied to thoraco-lumbar region is effective in controlling spasticity, increase dorsiflexion active range of motion of ankle and improving ten- meters walk test in stroke patients. [Egypt J Neurol Psychiat Neurosurg. 2011; 48(2): 139-144]
Key Words: Stroke, Spasticity, H/M ratio, Electrical sensory Stimulation, Gait.
Correspondence to Foad Abd Allah, Department of Neurology, Cairo University, Egypt.
Tel.:+20110110898. Email:foadneuro@hotmail.com.